Rain

A BC winter is a wet winter, especially in coastal regions and the Lower Mainland. Good wiper blades are critical to visibility in everything from light rain to heavy downpours. Replace them every six months to a year, or whenever you notice a decline in performance, like streaking or skipping. You’ll want to install winter blades before the season sets in, for their sturdier frames and softer rubber that stays flexible in cold temperatures. If you’re out in a heavy downpour that your wipers can’t clear, slow down until sightlines through the windshield improve.

Moisture buildup on roads raises the risk of hydroplaning, or tires losing contact with the pavement and skimming uncontrolled along the water surface. Properly inflated tires with unworn tread and sipes (small cuts that funnel away water) are your best ally for traction on wet roads, says Miller.

Drivers should also avoid using cruise control in heavy downpours, as it can make hydroplaning worse by applying gas, attempting to maintain the preset speed. If your vehicle starts to hydroplane, ease your foot off the gas and hold the wheel steady until your tires regain grip.

Sun and glare

Those in the Lower Mainland might doubt its existence, but the sun does come out to play during a BC winter, especially in the Interior. “A good example is any day during the winter in Prince George. It’s –25°C and sunny, as if it’s the middle of summer. The amount of glare you get coming off vehicles, icy roads and snow is quite brutal,” says Miller. Shorter hours of daylight also mean we’re often driving when the sun is low in the sky, at eye level.

As with any condition that reduces visibility, it’s safest to decrease speed. Also increase your following distance from the standard two seconds, to three or more, says Miller. Use your vehicle’s visors and invest in a good pair of polarized sunglasses, he adds. Better yet, plan out your route before you leave to minimize time spent driving directly into the sun.

Slush and black ice

BC’s winter temperatures can be warmer on average than other provinces, hovering around 0°C for longer. This means our roads often sit right at the freeze-thaw point, which can be even more slippery than driving in a total deep freeze.

“I think a lot of people don’t realize how treacherous a slushy road can be,” says Miller. “Icy water at –1°C can be very dangerous.”

As can black ice: “I see a lot of vehicles sliding off the road on sunny days as they’re going into a shaded area. The pavement looks dry, and then they go into a corner where there’s a tree that has shaded the road all morning, and there’s ice.”

To cope, maximize rubber traction. “Winter tires are designed to work really well from 7°C and down,” says Miller. “I think some people feel that because we don’t always get a lot of snow, like Alberta or Saskatchewan, we don’t need winter tires, but they’re for cold temperatures, snow or not.”

When temperatures are around the freezing point, reduce speed – potentially below the speed limit if conditions demand – and increase your following distance, he adds. Keep an eye out for shady spots and bridges, which defrost slowly. If you start to slide, gently take your foot off the accelerator. Keep your eyes trained in the direction you want to go, even if you’re spinning, and steer gently until you regain traction.